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Nursery at Buntingford First School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Talk, stories and learning to take turns give Buntingford First School’s nursery its character. This is a nursery class for three and four year olds, with 30 spaces and a team comprising a qualified nursery teacher and an early years practitioner. Children can start in the term following their third birthday.
In May 2026, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Strong standard, covering Nursery and Reception together. That is an early years judgement, rather than a separate nursery rating. The clearest strengths for nursery families are language development, growing independence and teaching adapted to children’s starting points.
A morning or afternoon gives children a three-hour session; staying all day adds lunch between the two. Within the early years foundation stage (EYFS), learning builds through conversation, play and shared books. Adults introduce vocabulary, ask questions that extend children’s thinking and check their understanding so that help can be matched to their needs. For a child still finding their voice, this makes spoken language a substantial part of learning.
Stories and rhymes support children’s interest in reading. Sharing materials and waiting for a turn are learning experiences too: children practise playing alongside others while developing confidence in doing things for themselves. Adults help them recognise emotions and persist when something proves difficult. The May 2026 early years findings support this picture of children enjoying learning and becoming more independent.
Starting nursery includes a supported transition. Staff get to know families and learn about children’s interests, backgrounds and needs; in May 2026, these early years relationships were effective in helping adults tailor support. This gives parents’ knowledge of their child a practical role in their care and learning.
Food arrangements are straightforward. A daily snack consists of fruit or vegetables. Children staying all day can bring a packed lunch or have a chargeable school meal booked through SwiftKitchen. Lunch club is included automatically in whole-day bookings. For children wearing nappies, families supply nappies, wipes and nappy sacks each day. Parents must also share medical conditions, allergies and circumstances affecting their child’s welfare.
For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), families can contact the SENDCo through the school office at admin@buntingfordfirstschool.co.uk. The school has a sensory room that any child can use when they need help regulating their emotions, offering a physical space for that support. Within early years, adults adjust learning to different needs and use checks to identify when additional help is needed.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through Hertfordshire County Council by the deadline for their entry year. For September 2026 entry, that deadline was 15 January 2026.
For the 2026/27 admissions cycle, nursery attendance does not confer Reception priority: the oversubscription criteria cover care status, exceptional medical or social needs, siblings, eligible staff children and location. Choosing the nursery therefore remains a decision about the child’s early years experience; families must complete the Reception application separately.
Sessions run Monday to Friday during school terms: mornings are 8.45am to 11.45am, afternoons 12.15pm to 3.15pm, and all-day attendance 8.45am to 3.15pm. For all-day children, the school funds the additional half-hour between sessions.
The funded entitlement includes 15 hours weekly over 38 weeks, with 30-hour places subject to eligibility. Bookings must cover at least 15 hours. Funding cannot be divided with another provider, and eligible families are asked to take the full 30 hours here. A 30-hour code must reach the school half a term before the child starts and be reconfirmed every three months.
Booking commitment. Families select sessions for a whole term, with half a term’s notice required for changes; ad hoc bookings are currently unavailable. Additional sessions can be purchased if a family is not eligible for 30-hour funding. Payments are made in advance through Magic Bookings; ask the school for current charges, including school meals.
Apply using the BFS Nursery Application Form 2026-2027, or contact the office on 01763 290350. Children wear named uniform. Collectors must be at least 18, and families can arrange a collection password to authorise another adult.
Children can join in the term after their third birthday. The nursery provides places for three and four year olds.
Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am, afternoons from 12.15pm to 3.15pm, and all-day sessions from 8.45am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday in term time.
The nursery accepts 15-hour entitlement and 30-hour funding subject to eligibility. Bookings must be for at least 15 hours, and funding cannot be split with another provider.
All-day children need a packed lunch or a chargeable school meal booked through SwiftKitchen. Families of children wearing nappies supply nappies, wipes and nappy sacks daily.
No. Parents must apply separately through Hertfordshire County Council. Nursery attendance does not confer priority under the 2026/27 oversubscription criteria.
